In my valley dark
Of trials and of strife
Did you send the color green
Of eternal life
High up in the sky
Or ocean waves to cease
Did you send the color blue
Have your eternal peace
All throughout my day
Colors did appear share
That filled the soul with joy
With beauty everywhere
To vision of the deeper
In light from above
Infinite the colors
Of Your precious love
The journey of our life
Of inner and afar
That all paths lead unto
Becoming who you are
Acknowledging the truth
A pride-filled sinner be
Blessed be the finding
Of the One who saves me
That we find emptiness
When this world, we purse
That only gifts beyond
Are treasures of value
In telling of our story
With humility
In sharing of our gifts
Our true purpose, be
We are made complete
Even though we’re flawed
Because we’re a beloved
Child of our God
Though of no limbs
We clearly can see
The movement affecting
The ocean and trees
Though of no voice
We clearly can hear
The sound of the stirring
That it has to share
Though of no body
We clearly can feel
The touch of our skin
It has to reveal
A blessing this day
Of movement within
Of listening deep to
The song of the wind
A whisper of nature
That leads unto prayer
Let the breath of spirit
Come now, appear
When winter is coming
Leaves fall from the trees
You start planting bulbs
To invest in beauty
When it seems, the world
Is out of control
You’ll feed the birds
An act of the soul
When shadows grow long
Loneliness descends
You write a kind note
To lift up a friend
When an evil one speaks
Words mean and vile
You bless in return
A forgiving smile
Your lessons of life
Still echo these days
As a fruit of your love
Let me follow your ways
When we relate to
Just our needs of seeing
Nature does not
Reveal it’s true being
When a tree is
Nothing but a chair
It ceases to tell us
About growing here
When a river is
Just a dumping place
It no longer speaks of
The movement of grace
And when a flower is
A plastic decoration
It has little to say of
The beauty of creation
Natures not a possession
Let’s change our attitude
For it’s a gift to receive
With respect and gratitude
(based upon words by Henri Nouwen)
Before our day begins
Time to start performing
Take a step outside and
Catch a breath of morning
For a seed of beauty
A gift of the spawning
To dwell within the light
Catch a glimpse of dawning
Let it settle in
Worldly time to cease
In silence of the soul
Draw a taste of peace
Know that loves abounding
Blessings our God shares
With gratitude to offer
A whisper of prayer
Come listen beloved
Two truths be aware
The birth of our Lord and
His return drawing near
The first is the answer
For the second, prepare
His incarnate dwelling
Be within you here
A time of waiting
Of joy to share
Of anticipating
The Word to appear
In this Advent season
Let our way be clear
Not to the store
But one body in prayer
Isn’t it exhausting?
Life just seems too hard
Keeping up appearance
Living the façade
Isn’t is confusing?
No matter how I try
Being who I’m not
Living of a lie
Isn’t it so stressful?
Worries everywhere
Of all that could go wrong
Living here in fear
Isn’t it so freeing?
When our lifes outpoured
Being who God made me
Living for the Lord
And on that day
Let all souls say
Give to our Lord
Our thanks and pray
Make known His deeds
Let all exclaim
Remember now
Exalt His name
Praise the Lord
Our song to sing
For He has done
Glorious things
Call on His name
Let this be known
Throughout the land
Our gratefulness shown
Through the gift of Spirit
Let us each believe
A practice of Thanksgiving
For us to receive
Please extend the gift
Of hospitality
Welcoming whatever
Our great God sends to me
When stress comes to visit
Embrace here with peace
Give it to our Lord
Free to be released
Offer of Thanksgiving
Of time and talents share
To each blessed soul
For gifts that they prepare
And for those complaining
Not what they deserve
A helping of forgiveness
Mercy may they be served
With each soul encountered
You love them through and through
Unconditionally
Help me to love them too
Nurturing our being
With each fork we raise
May it come with words
Of offering God praise
A stack of dirty dishes
Be my chance to bless
A gift to those I love
With a moments rest
To feast on gratefulness
Consuming now right here
To reap the fruit of joy
In blessings everywhere
DarylMadden 